by David Jackson, USA TODAY

by David Jackson, USA TODAY

President Obama spoke to the leader of China on Sunday night as part of his outreach over Russia's military incursion into Ukraine.

Obama and President Xi Jinping "affirmed their shared interest in reducing tensions and identifying a peaceful resolution to the dispute between Russia and Ukraine," said a White House statement on the call.

"The two leaders agreed on the importance of upholding principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity, both in the context of Ukraine and also for the broader functioning of the international system," the statement said.

Obama stressed his "overriding objective of restoring Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity," and he and Xi agreed "to stay in touch as events unfold," the White House said.